Sermons on the Song of Songs

See the martyr! See how he stands triumphant and jubilant, although his whole body is mangled and rent! And whilst the cruel iron tears open his sides, he watches with fortitude, yea, even with joy, the sacred blood spurting out from the lacerated flesh. Where, then, I ask, is the martyr’s soul? She is in security, my brethren, she is on the Rock, for she is in the Heart of Jesus; and it was to give her admission thither that the Wounds have been opened in the Saviour’s Body. Had she remained in her own flesh, she certainly would feel the rending iron; the pain would overpower her; she would succumb; she would deny the faith. But now whilst she abides in the Rock, is it any wonder that she exhibits the unyielding firmness of the Rock? Is it any wonder that, sojourning outside the body, she does not feel the pains of the body? And this is due not to any stupefaction but to the force of affection. Sensibility is not lost but subjected to love. Pain is not wanting, but it is vanquished and despised. Therefore from the firmness of the Rock comes the fortitude of the martyr. Thence is derived the courage to drink the chalice of the Lord. And that “chalice, which inebriateth, how goodly it is!” Goodly indeed, and pleasant too, not only for the Emperor Himself Who is looking on, but also for the soldier who celebrates his triumph. “For the joy of the Lord is our strength,” as we read in the Prophet Esdras. Why should He not rejoice as He listens to the martyr’s fearless confession? Yea, it is a joy He longs for with eagerness. Hence He says, “Let thy voice sound in My Ears.” Nor will He be slow in making a return, according to His promise. As soon as He shall be confessed before men by the martyr, He will also confess him before His Father Who is in heaven. Let me here, my brethren, interrupt the discourse, as I should not have time to finish to-day. For if all that remains to be said in connexion with my present text were to be included in this one sermon, it would be necessary to prolong it beyond all reasonable limits. It is better therefore to keep for another time what further remarks I intend to offer, in order that both our speech and our silence may give joy to the Spouse of the Church, Jesus Christ Our Lord, Who is over all things, God blessed for ever. Amen.